The Burning of the Houses of Lords and
Commons, October 16, 1834

On the evening of October 16, 1834, fire accidentally broke out in
England’s Houses of Parliament, the seat of the country’s government.
Tens of thousands of Londoners, including the landscape painter
Joseph Mallord William Turner, watched as the buildings burned.
Using both pencil and watercolor, Turner quickly sketched what he
saw, capturing the scene from different vantage points, including
from a rented boat. Back in his studio, he made this oil painting.

Turner created a captivating visual record of the event. Golden
flames engulf the buildings and dominate the sky. The fire casts
a reddish-orange reflection on the Thames River below and on the
white stones of Westminster Bridge. As the bridge reaches across
the river, it seems to melt from the fire’s heat. Strong winds carry
the blue-gray smoke across the night sky. People crowd together
and watch the destruction from boats, the bridge, and the near
riverbank. The spectacular yet terrifying event unfolds before their
eyes—and ours.

Turner captured the drama of this event and also conveyed several
messages. First, the painting speaks to nature’s power over man.
While the fire rages, the people seem helpless as they watch in
amazement. Additionally, the small dots of light from the man-made
gas lamps seem weak compared to the uncontrollable flames. The
painting also hints at political unrest. The Houses of Parliament
were built in the eleventh century and represented governmental
stability. The fire occurred during a time of political change, and
some regarded the event as a symbol of the need for further reform.